Sepp Blatter and Fifa allies round on FA

Bernstein’s proposal provoked a series of savage attacks from senior Fifa executivesGetty Images

The Football Association’s isolation in the world game was exposed last night when Sepp Blatter rounded on England’s representatives for failing to “set an example” after his re-election as Fifa president.

Blatter received 186 votes from the 206 delegates eligible after a failed attempt by the FA to postpone the election, the motion proposed by David Bernstein, the FA chairman, being rejected by 172 votes to 17.

Bernstein’s proposal provoked a series of savage attacks from senior Fifa executives, who accused the FA of peddling lies and raised the prospect of home nations losing their special privileges. But Blatter’s closing remarks at the end of another difficult day will be of greatest concern at Wembley.